News Bloopers Galore

This past Thursday I taught my last after school film studies class at the high school I've worked with for the past year and a half. While I'm happy to cross lesson-planning off my to-do list, I will really miss those kids and the school community. I wanted to do something relevant but fun for our last class, and decided on bringing popcorn as a treat, and hosting a "YouTube Film Festival." Each student picked his or her favorite YouTube find and presented it to the class. Amidst the MAD TV sketches and not-so-funny Flash animations, there were a few real gems. My personal favorite was this:



Which reminded me how funny this one was:



And then I remembered this amazing one:



Oh, YouTube. Hours and hours of pure hilarity.

Why Can't Sprout Do This?

Childhood Memories Remixed

Electronic music artist Pogo creates tracks by sampling and mixing sounds from films, many of them children's movies. He also creates awesome music videos to accompany them. I have watched this one, based on the movie Hook, about a million times. This was a favorite movie of mine circa 1997, and one of the few I still own on DVD. I love the choice of raw material and the results.


I realize quite of few of you out there might have never seen Hook (shame on you) so here's another example based on Mary Poppins.


If there were a Reappropriate This Academy Award, Pogo would surely be the winner.

I (Still) <3 U Internets

With the exception of the incredible Kitten Loves Puppy video, I've been a negligent blogger lately. And I probably will remain relatively MIA for the next three weeks. This is due to a new summer job that involves waking up at 6am for 9 hour work days spent with 30 young children and 4 sassy teenage counselors. At least I don't have to wear shoes at work, which is a great perk. So my motto for the summer is "work hard, play hard" and there have been lots of fun times, such as: Megha's birthday in Prospect Park, Harry Potter on opening day, burritos at Benny's, haircuts, discovering kohlrabi, and many, many trips to the dog park with Sprout. There's more on the horizon for this weekend, including a rooftop party at Maggie's and a visit from Marina. All this working hard and playing hard doesn't leave much time for blogging, but to make up for my absence in the blogosphere, here's a Kitten/Puppy follow-up:

Does Sprout Need a Kitty Too?

Kittens. Inspired by: Kittens.

Spin Around, Ninjas.

We Only Sang "All Things Bright & Beautiful"

Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free

I recently discovered the band Akron/Family, and I think I love them. I particularly like the title track from their latest album, "Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free," but since it hasn't yet been released, it's been hard to get my hands on. I tried a YouTube search, which will often yield an acceptable live version of a song, but this time, the results were even better.

Someone has edited the song to a video of frolicking baby horses. Enjoy.

Four Somewhat Related Thoughts About Elephants

1. Once in college, I (alone and sniffling in my dorm room) watched an Animal Planet documentary about elephants. Why was I sniffling? Apparently, elephant herds must make the same trek each year to find water during the dry season, and they are led on this difficult journey by the matriarch of the group. The matriarch of the particular herd being followed by the filmmakers had been shot the previous year by poachers; she managed to escape, but only to die later along the trail. Next year, when the elephants approached the spot where she had died, they became noticeably somber. They found her bones, and caressed them with their trunks. Then, they took her tusks (the parts valuable to the poachers) and hid them in brush, so that her remains would not be disturbed. I have loved elephants ever since.

2. A former roommate of mine had a watering can shaped like an elephant. It got me thinking, how cute would it be if elephants, kind of like horses, could be bred so small that they could live as household pets?! It would be so comforting to have a little trunk draped over your knee.

3. I recently learned that a perfectly preserved baby mammoth was discovered in Siberia. It is almost the perfect size for a household pet!

4. Aria posted this amazing YouTube video of an elephant painting. It can paint better than I can.

Schnappi

Remember Schnappi? His adventures continue! May I present: Ein Lama in Yokohama

Das Kleine Krokodil

Who knew there were so many delightful German children's songs about animals?

OMG? WTF?

Ten Lords A-Leapin'

Actually, just one. But he's as awesome as ten.

Christopher Walken in Fat Boy Slim's "Weapon of Choice"

Oh, Bobo.

Watch It. Change your life.

If They Forget Everything Else I've Taught Them...

... There's always this YouTube gem I showed my class this week. I promise it was relevant to our conversation. Plus it helped secure my cool teacher reputation.

My Thanksgiving Offering

From our own little brunette outcast...

Dear Disney, Please Don't Sue Me

Turkey Day Trailers

In case the yams with marshmallows aren't rich enough, Meredith and I have programmed an amazing assortment of cheesy movies for the upcoming holiday weekend.

Appetizer: Home for the Holidays (1995)
This is the best (only?) Thanksgiving movie. I have watched it pretty much every year since it came out. Sadly, no trailer is available on YouTube, so this picture and the promise of "two thumbs up" will have to suffice.


Soup: Ballet Shoes (2007)
This will be a new addition to the menu. I'll see almost any dance movie, and this one is about British orphans, so I'm sure I'll eat it right up.


Salad: If These Walls Could Talk 2 (2000)
A delightful trio of made-for-TV shorts, not to mention's Ellen's best role. (At least until Dory)


First Course: A League of Their Own (1992)
We haven't actually ordered this classic selection on Netflix, but I'm betting it will be shown on TV, and when it is, I will indulge. I always do. Again, no YouTube trailer available, but I think that Madonna's "This Used to Be My Playground" music video will give you a taste.


Second Course: Love Actually (2003)
It's irresistibly good, and I've yet to find even the snobbiest film snob who thinks otherwise. And, it's sugary sweetness is a great transition into the Christmas season.


Dessert: Elf (2003)
We'll wrap things up with the perfect start to the Christmas movie season, from back when Will Ferrell's move from tv to film actually seemed promising. This movie features a narwhal and Amy Sedaris. Delicious.

Beyonce Likes to Reappropriate It: The Sequel

A little while ago I posted this.

Today this was brought to my attention:


And then countered with this:


If this were a game of riff it out, I'd say the second one wins.